Estimation of the Virtual Water Consumption for Food Consumption and Calorie Supply

The agricultural water management generally has focused on water resources for crop production but it could be affected by the food consumption pattern. The aim of this study is to estimate virtual water consumption for food consumption and calorie supply using the water footprint and virtual water concept. In addition, we estimated the virtual water requirements for increasing the food and calorie self-sufficiency adjusted by the government for food security. About <TEX>330.0m³/cap/yr</TEX> of virtual water was consumed for the main foods consumption in 1985, and it was increased to <TEX>450.0m³/cap/yr</TEX> in 2010. The rate of virtual water consumption by meats consumption was 28 % in 1985 but it was increased to 54 % in 2010. In other words, the total virtual water consumption by foods consumption was increased from 1985 to 2010 with the high rate of meats consumption. The average <TEX>1.29m³</TEX> of virtual water was consumed for supplying 1 calorie per capita in 2010 but about <TEX>10.1m³/cal</TEX> of virtual water was consumed by only bovine meats consumption. The food self-sufficiency is the main factor for food security in Korea. About <TEX>46.5Mm³</TEX> and <TEX>393.9Mm³</TEX> of virtual water were required in order to increase the food and calorie self-sufficiency of wheat by 1 % individually. This study showed the water consumption was related to food consumption and calorie supply pattern, and these results could be used as the indices for the agricultural water management considering the change of eating habit and food security.